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Highway 78: Ramona to Julian, Cuyamaca Mountains, California
Photo: Seauton · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives California San Diego

Highway 78: Ramona to Julian

Old Julian Highway, Julian Road, CA 78 · Ramona → Julian

Sweeping20 mi30 min3,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,300 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 78 climbs from Ramona to Julian through the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains. The drive begins on Old Julian Highway in Ramona, follows Julian Road past Witch Creek and reaches Santa Ysabel, where Highway 79 joins. From there Highways 78 and 79 share the road across the headwaters of the San Diego River and through the hamlet of Wynola, enter Cleveland National Forest briefly, and arrive in Julian, where the road becomes Washington Street and then Main Street.

The road rolls and climbs from oak and ranch country to about 4,300 feet. Julian, at about 4,226 feet, began as a gold-rush town after gold was found nearby in 1869 and is known today for its apple pies, with many shops in buildings from the 1870s. The drive ends on Main Street. Highway 79 and the Banner Grade drive both start in Julian.

Along the way

  1. Ramona
  2. Santa Ysabel
  3. Julian (Main Street)
Elevation
3,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,300 ft
RamonaJulian
Curves
Mostly gentle, with three twisty stretches
RamonaJulian
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Julian gets snow most years, mostly in February and March; check Caltrans conditions before heading up after a storm.
  • The snow draws visitors from coastal San Diego, so expect more traffic in Julian on snowy weekends.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans: current highway conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 78 from Ramona to Julian take?

Ramona to Julian on Highway 78 is 20.2 miles and takes about 30 minutes without stops.

Does it snow on Highway 78 in Julian?

Julian gets snow most years, mostly in February and March. Check Caltrans road conditions before driving up after a storm.

Is Highway 78 from Ramona to Julian twisty?

Moderately. It is rated Sweeping: rolling climbs and mostly gentle curves with three twisty stretches.

What is Julian known for?

Julian is known for its apple pies and for its gold-rush history, which began with the discovery of gold nearby in 1869.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 78: Ramona to Julian, from Ramona to Julian